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roadtrip TECHNICAL CREW Marion Aunor Joy Billones Ryan Camacho Kathryn Chatto Jazzlyne Monzon LJ Villaluz
background
learn about Banahaw, its brief history and the legends blehind the supposed mystical mountain
getting there
know how to get there, where to go and which routes to take
in the bag
the essential clothing and things to bring for the utmost comfort and convenience during the adventure
tips & tricks
know what to expect by reading the do’s and don’ts of the adventure made especially for Hi 165-D under Dr. Efren B. Isorena
DIY first-aid
make sure not to go there unprepared! First-aid tips for the most common cases suffered by Banahaw trekkers
trekker testimonials
hi 165-D’s experiences with their own trip to Banahaw
creative corner
a poem written by Irvin San Pedro
photo gallery
Background Mount Banahaw is an active volcano on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. This volcano, which is a part of the Banahaw-Cristobal National Park, has long been believed to be a storehouse of psychic energy. Local residents consider it to be a sacred mountain teeming with numerous legends and superstitions. It has been the home to countless members of religious cults, hermits, soul searchers, spiritist and faith healers who climbs its slopes to meditate in its cave and commune with the mountain spirits. It clearly shows the other side of Filipino fanaticism and superstitious ways. Being in Banahaw is something like stepping into incredible stories of apparitions, heavenly voices, strange sounds, dwarves, fairies and even UFO’s.
It is an important pilgrimage site for local residents. Banahaw once had a vision that it was to become the New Jerusalem. Appropriately, the names of all topographical features had been given names with biblical allusions, Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Santo Kalbaryo, Kweba ng Dios Ama and the famous Jacob’s Well to name a few. During Holy Week, pilgrims ascend to the crater rim peaks called Durungawan to relieve the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Banahaw is located 100 kilometers southeast of Manila. The mountain rises to a height of 2158 meters above sea level and its crater is at its widest point, 3.5 kilometers wide and up to 210 meters deep. Also, it is the closest two-thousand meter mountain in Manila, making it popular among mountain climbers. Being an active volcano, its last recorded eruption was on 1721.
A Land of Myths A long time ago, becvddause of a great turmoil in the Middle East, God instructed four angels to transfer the City of Jerusalem to Far East. When the angels reached the island of Luzon in the Philippines, they sought the perfect place to “transplant” the Holy Land. However, the angels accidentally dropped Jerusalem upside down. Thus, Jerusalem became a mountain, now known as Mount Banahaw. In the mountain, a Holy Voice (Santong Boses) is said to dictate all the locations of the Holy Places in Banahaw. Devotees say that particular biblical locations in the mountain have been named by the spirits through their communication with Agripino Lontok, the first inhabitant of Mount Banahaw. Lontok, according to stories was a Spanish guardia civil rebelling against the colonial government who sought refuge in the mountain. While residing there, a lot of supernatural beings was said to appear before the fugitive. For example, birds were said to talk to him and guide him through the caves, while the clouds would descend and he would hear their voices. Also he would find himself in a different dimension once he submerge himself in one of the springs in Banahaw. On top of it all, his needs were well- provided by the gargantuan boulder, the Kaban ni San Isidro, which would open to a well-laden cave upon reciting a secret password. Because of all the majestic features of Mount Banahaw, Lontok never left the mountain and thus became the Keeper of Banahaw’s secrets.
“a Holy Voice (Santong Boses) is said to dictate all the locations of the holy places in Banahaw.” Along Crystalino trail people will pass by the Crystalino Falls, Suplina Falls, Salamin Bubog (glass mirror) which is a small pond in which the waters are still as a mirror; the Kweba ng Dios Ama (cave), one of the most sacred place but people will be disgusted to see a concrete house erected by one of the local sects right in the mouth of the cave; the Pintong Lihim (sacred door)- two large boulders with divergent paths and Niluhuran (place where trees knelt) which was named due to the bent trees which abound the place and some minor pilgrim sites (holy places). At the summit, people can also try to visit the Durungawan (view points) I, II, and III (highest point), the cave near the cross and the crater view overlooking Guis-guis and two other rivers Tubig ng Gatas at Tubig ng Dugo (river of blood and milk because one is white as marble and the other red as iron oxide). Along the Tatlong Tangke route, there is the Kapatagan (plains) and the Tatlong Tangke (3 natural water tanks). From the summit, people can also take the trail going down the crater towards Sariyaya or from Durungawan III, go to a longer un-established trail to Tayabas and/or Lucban trails. Within Kinabuhayan area, the Bakas (Christ’s foot print), Santo Calbaryo (Calvary), Tres Personas, Ilog ng landas (river), Ina ng Awa, Husgado (cave), Kweba ni San Pedro (cave), Kweba ni San Pablo (cave), Prisintahan, Dolorosa, Piedra Mental, Ciudad Mystica, Buhok ng Birhen, Nunong Lalake and some other pilgrim places are worth to visit.
Mt. Banahaw can be scaled through various jump-off points like Dolores, Tayabas (Banahaw de Tayabas), Sariyaya (Guis-guis Trail) and Lucban (Lucban de Banahaw) but most of these trails have different peak destinations though there are already recorded traverse from one peak to the other or climbs using a combination of these trails.
strenuous hike. To go there, take a bus bound for Lucena City (Tritran, JAM, JAC, BLTB).
This itinerary is the Dolores Trail. The Dolores Trail, the most popular particularly among the pilgrims, has two other sub-routes, the Crystalino and the Tatlong Tanke routes. There is a third route in Dolores that is no longer being used. It connects to the Guisguis trail of Sariyaya going inside the crater. So officially, the two Dolores trails, Crystalino and Tatlong Tangke are considered the Banahaw de Dolores climb.
Get off at San Pablo Laguna. Ask for the jeepney stop for jeeps bound for Dolores Quezon (regular trips are from 4:00 AM to 4:00 PM, though special trips can be arranged 24 hours a day with much added cost). Kinabuhayan in Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Dolores, Quezon is the official jump-off point. From Kinabuhayan, locals can be asked for the start of the trail or people can go directly at the back of the barangay hall. The trail initially splits into two, the Crystalino and the Tatlong Tangke trails. Either of the two, follows the established path straight to the peak (Durungawan I). From there people can choose what trail to take in descending the mountain, either the other Dolores trail, the Guis-guis trail or Tayabas/Lucban trails.
In climbing, it is advisable to take one of the trails going up and the other on your way down to see the two routes. The climb can be easily done even without a guide for trails are visible and marked. Looking for guides within the place may be difficult for most people living within the jump-off area are not inclined into climbing or guiding in particular. The climb itself is not a technical one, but a long
Banahaw can be scaled any time of the year though it is best advised especially for beginners and the curious to climb it during the Holy Week. Few weeks before the Holy Week is the best time because during that time, the place is already prepared for the Holy Week revelry with make-shift stalls along the trail but not as crowded and littered as the Holy Week itself.